Are you serious?
by Reid Matthias
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‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip (John 1:46).
Read John 1:43–51
Let’s face it. We all know that one place, or that one town, where everyone said, ‘Uh, that’s the place to avoid.’ I won’t name any names here (other than Las Vegas, ugh), but picture that town or city in your mind. Then, understand why Nathanael questioned Jesus’ hometown.
For Nathanael, Nazareth would have carried the same significance as Woop Woop, Australia. Considered by many locals to be the middle of nowhere, Nazareth had no special meaning to anyone or anything. Additionally, the Old Testament Scriptures don’t seem to point to Nazareth much when it comes to Messianic prophecy, although Matthew says that the Messiah would be a Nazarene. Bethlehem, yes. Jerusalem, yes. Nazareth, not so much.
Therefore, Nathanael’s question is about being flabbergasted.
God doesn’t use the normal, everyday kind of place or person for his needs. God uses the famous and the entertaining. God uses bright lights and neon signs, right?
It’s interesting that Philip’s response to Nathanael’s question is so short and simple. ‘Come and see.’ Philip doesn’t have to convince Nathanael of Jesus’ power or his references. Jesus can do that on his own.
Just come and see. Jesus is the King, born in a manger. He’s the Lord of Creation walking down the road with sandy feet. He’s the Prince of Peace who will carry the cross for you and me.
So much more than we ever expected from someone from Woop Woop, Nazareth.
If I can offer any one piece of advice for this, on 21 January, it would be this: Don’t be surprised when the world’s limitations of Jesus fall short. Those who would call him a fairy tale, a myth, a liar and a fraud will someday come to the realisation that Jesus is the Son of God come for you and me to bring us to the Father for eternal life.
Come and see.
Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this world, a humble servant, a king with a cross. Thank you for superseding all my expectations and overwhelming me with joy for your future. Amen.
Reid Matthias is the school pastor at St Andrews Lutheran College in Tallebudgera, Queensland. Reid is married to Christine, and together with their three incredible daughters, Elsa, Josephine and Greta, they have created a Spotify channel (A 13) where they have recorded music. Reid has recently published his seventh novel, A Miserable Antagonist. You can find all of his novels and music links at www.reidmatthias.com
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